Henry was the son of John M. & Matilda Dodson Needham. He had eleven siblings: Laura Alice, Annie, Lizzie, John Logan, Wilson Wayne, Martha Belle, Auther R., William Columbus, Minnie and Orpha.

Henry married Ida Odell Yount on June 17, 1888. Henry and Ida had six children. At least the first three were born in Polk County Missouri but the last one was born in Collin County, Texas on September 12, 1901. Therefore we know the family moved from Missouri to Texas some time between 1894 and 1901. Ida died in 1904. Henry then married a woman named Letha. In the 1910 census of McIntosh County, Oklahoma, Henry's family is listed with Letha as his wife.

Henry and Ida were the parents of Vera, Becky, Tollie, Henry, Pete, and John.